31st October 2019 Day three of 3 day tour
Another lovely day with a frost and clear, sunny blue skies! We took the walk out at Burnham Overy Staithe and out into the dunes. There was a big tide on arrival and we enjoyed vast skeins of Pink-footed Geese heading from their roost to feeding areas.
Also nice flights of Dark-bellied Brents overhead. As we walked out the Staithe was full and there were few waders but plenty of Stonechats, at least 6 and nice views of Rock Pipits, Reed Bunting and a lovely flock of 200 Linnet, interspersed with a few Goldfinch.
Out on the freshmarsh a Snipe was feeding in the wet grass, and a lovely carpet of c300 Golden Plover were a joy in the sunlight. We were soon watching the established group of Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret flew over them!
Out over the dunes towards Scolt, there was at least 4 Red Kites and one tussling over carrion with a Marsh Harrier.
Once in the dunes we headed straight out and looked on the sea, there was at least 4 Red-throated Divers close inshore and several more further out, to the East there was a substantial flock of 400+ Common Scoter and quite a few scattered Guillemot. Further out there were feeding Gannets and 3 Eiders flew West.
We then walked around Gun hill, it was quiet for passerines, save more Stonechat and Rock Pipits, but there was a nice Red-breasted Merganser plenty of shorebirds and we were pleased to find a Purple Sandpiper at the West end.
The walk back produced more shorebirds on the dropping tide, and there was plenty of Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover plus 25 Ringed Plover.
We lunched at Titchwell and then headed out to the main scrape, we started with lovely views of Water Rail in the channel. Then from the first hide there was lots of lovely close wildfowl including this superb drake Teal 30 Avocet, 100 Golden Plover, plus distant views of Rock and Water Pipit.
We headed around to Parrinder and from here we got really nice views of Water Pipit, plus Scandinavian Rock Pipit for comparison.
Lovely close views of Marsh Harrier and 2 Snipe flying close by as we left, plus and adult Mediterranean Gull.